As a human being, you are capable of great things. You have the ability to make a difference in the world and to contribute to the healing of all that is broken. It is a powerful thought to consider and one that requires courage, resilience, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact. I wanted to explore what it means to be courageous and relentless in the face of the world's challenges and how you can be a part of the healing process.
Thinking that our thoughts and beliefs move power and influence can sometimes feel like a cute little Instagram soundbite, but a lot more challenging to apply to big world problems such as environmental destruction and systematic oppression. Instinctually you may think that when it comes to these huge obstacles we face, the idea that our thoughts influence the world may sound like hippie nonsense, but how could it be otherwise? Every decision which has ever been made in the world, from borders to pharmaceuticals, from sanitation to power structures, come from people's minds. If other people's thoughts and beliefs can change the world this clearly, then, of course, yours do too.
I understand the incredible power of our thoughts and beliefs transforming lives. I've seen it in action. And it's how I've chosen to build my life. Our beliefs shape our perceptions and attitudes towards the world, and in turn, these attitudes and perceptions shape our actions. For example, if you believe that the world is a terrible place, you will likely be more closed off, fearful, and frankly exhausted (I'm looking at you, my daily beloved activist friends). This can make it more difficult for you to take action and make a difference. On the other hand, if you believe that the world is full of opportunities for change, you will likely be more open and curious, which plays a role in getting creative about possibilities for change. This, in turn, will allow you to take a more proactive role in making a difference.
Our thoughts and beliefs literally rewire our brains, shaping the way that we process information and interact with the world. This is why it is so important to be mindful of the thoughts we allow to occupy our minds, as these thoughts can profoundly impact our lives. Telling yourself there's no point quite literally leads to you taking less action. Telling yourself that you are not good enough to achieve anything means you are a lot less likely to try in the first place.
Being courageous and relentless in the face of the world's challenges is a damn hard choice. But it allows us to take a proactive role in shaping our lives and the world around us. In order to believe that change is possible, we have to think that with our thoughts.
When we are brave enough to take risks and step outside of our comfort zones of futility (although it may not feel comfortable – it is often familiar – and we often process them as the same thing), we can learn and grow in ways that we never thought possible. This is a spiky little journey of growth and self-discovery which has the chance of leading us to become better, more compassionate people who are more able to make a positive impact in the world. And that's probably something worth dabbling in, right?
So, how can we be part of the healing process? There are many ways to take action, but the most important thing is to start. Take small steps, be brave, and be persistent. Whether volunteering at a local organisation, donating to a charity, or simply spreading kindness in your community. Every little action has the potential to make a big difference.
And remember that our personal growth is intrinsically related to the healing of our communities. When we work on becoming the best versions of ourselves, we are better equipped to make an impact in the world. This can involve practising selfcare (I probably have a course for that), making time to read, move or create and taking steps to develop our skills and knowledge all helps to remind us that we are in more than survival mode and more powerful than we are encouraged to believe.
Finally, it is important to remember we are not alone in this journey. There is strength in numbers, and by working together, we can create change on a much larger scale. Whether through community dialogue, activism, or simply supporting each other, we can make a greater impact when we work together. When these pressing issues seem so big can be hard to remember that there are a lot of people working for the good. It's worth aligning yourself with people who take action on the values that are important to you.
There are many roads we can take towards trying to create change, and I firmly believe that if we do this alongside our own healing, we're in less danger of replicating some of the structures we are trying to escape.